(SportsRadio 610) - About an hour after announcing DeMeco Ryans as the next Texans head coach, CEO Cal McNair joined The Drive with Stoerner and Hughley to discuss the move.
Earlier, McNair released a statement saying the goal was to find someone "our fans and city can be proud of." Ryans has been a successful defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers the past two seasons, in addition to being a standout linebacker after being drafted by the Texans in 2006.
He played six seasons with the Texans, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 and named to first-team All-Pro in 2007.
“We are thrilled to welcome DeMeco Ryans as the new head coach of the Houston Texans," McNair said in a statement. "For so many reasons, DeMeco is everything we are looking for in a leader and coach for our organization. He has a proven track record for developing high-quality players and constantly innovated his defensive scheme over the last six seasons in San Francisco. We started this process with the goal of finding someone our fans and city can be proud of and we’ve done just that.
"While we received a lot of incredible feedback and support for DeMeco from different people, it was our discussions with him and his vision for our football team that made him the right coach to lead us as we continue to evolve as an organization. Congratulations to DeMeco and his family and welcome back to H-Town."
Texans general manager Nick Caserio praised Ryans for his proven track record, leadership ability, progressive vision, communication skills and once again stressed "collaboration."
“On behalf of the entire Texans organization, I would like to welcome DeMeco Ryans and his family back to Houston," Caserio said in a statement. "DeMeco is a proven coach with a track record of success who has an innate ability to lead people. He is progressive in his vision, a great communicator, a connector and somebody that values collaboration. We are working to build a sustainable program that has long-term success and DeMeco is the Coach we feel is the best fit to help us achieve our goals. We know how important it is to get results now and we have a lot of work to do, but I’m excited to partner with DeMeco to build our football team together."
Ryans called this his "dream job," adding he knows what it takes to be successful in the NFL as both a player and coach.
“I’d like to first thank the San Francisco 49ers, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch for six incredible seasons where I grew as a coach and a man," Ryans said in a statement. "I couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished together, and I will always cherish the relationships I built there. Being the head coach of the Houston Texans is my dream job and my family is thrilled to be back in H-Town. I have been around the game of football my entire life and I’ve always had a natural ability to lead others.
"I know what it takes to win and be successful in this league as both a player and coach. We’re going to build a program filled with players who have a special work ethic and relentless mindset. I understand the responsibility I have to this organization and to the fans of Houston to build a winner and I can’t wait to get to work."
Listen to Cal and Hannah McNair with The Drive here.